ORLANDO – The NBA season is starting to take a familiar toll on Kristaps Porzingis. But this time, he’s not taking any chances.

The Latvian sat out Wednesday’s game against the Magic with two small injuries – a sore ankle and elbow swelling that is more of a chronic issue.

In terms of momentum, this couldn’t come at a worst time than for the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week. However, Porzingis learned from fading the last two seasons that rest is essential.

“You’re playing through pain a lot of times and you keep going and because this is hurting, the next thing starts to hurt,” Porzingis said. “Sometimes it’s smart when something’s hurting to maybe sit out one game and not later lose four games.”

Porzingis had a much different philosophy last season when he set a goal of playing all 82 games. The ambition backfired when Porzingis injured his Achilles and was hindered for the final four months. Porzingis said the latest problems occurred during Wednesday’s victory over the Hornets, when he turned his ankle while driving to bucket in the final seconds.

“If something is hurting like that, it’s not the smartest thing to keep pushing it and play through pain,” Porzingis said. “If I was feeling much better than I would play for sure. But it just didn’t get that much better to play.”

The elbow bursitis inflamed on an earlier play when he was pushed to the court by Dwight Howard. It swelled up like a golf ball – much like it did in previous seasons -- and Porzingis said he may drain it in the offseason.

Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 30 points entering Wednesday’s game.

(Elsa/Getty Images)

“it just swells up and it’s sensitive and I can’t stretch my arm. It bothers me a little bit but not that bad,” he said. “It’s always just, I have to get the swelling down and then I’ll be fine again. But I think once the season’s over I might have to do something about it. I just can’t keep going like this every year.”

Porzingis’ absence was welcomed news to Orlando coach Frank Vogel, who earlier in the day conceded, “I don’t really have the answer for ‘The Unicorn.’ He’s a one of a kind and we’re going to do the best we can. He’s something else.”

Porzingis came into the matchup averaging 30 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 38 percent from beyond the arc. If sustained, those marks would all be career highs. He also beat out Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James for Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

More impressively, Porzingis led the Knicks to five wins in six games heading into Orlando. He also set the franchise record for most points scored in the opening 10 games of the season. In game 11, however, he had zero.

“It’s obvious he’s done a lot of work on his game throughout the summer to come back better and stronger,” Knicks GM Scott Perry said. “I think we all can say there’s still a lot of growth and development left in his game. I’m excited to watch him grow in that area and become the very best basketball player he can become.”